Spiderman frenzy sets in

MUMBAI: The Spider-Man buzz has begun even before the film officially releases on 4 May 2007.

The superhero is currently hanging off a ledge of The Venetian Resort~Hotel~Casino in Las Vegas overlooking The Strip where he will remain through this weekend. Spider-Man then will move into Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian where he will enjoy an extended stay, it is learnt.

The full-sized figure is perched below the giant Madame Tussauds sign just above the entrance to Sephora Cosmetiques at The Venetian. Ultimately, Spider-Man will be moved back into the attraction where fans will be able to photograph the figure, say reports.

Meanwhile, according to the US’ leading movie ticketing destination Fandango Spider-Man 3 is currently Selling six times as many tickets as Spider-Man 2 — and two and a half times as many tickets as last year’s Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead Man’s Chest — sold at the same point in the films’ respective sales cycles on Fandango.

The film has also accounted for 94 per cent of all weekly ticket sales on the site as of 2 May 9 am PT; becoming Fandango’s fastest-selling movie of the year so far.

In an online poll conducted by Fandango, 58 per cent fans said they would not consider buying a ticket to a fourth Spider-Man movie with someone other than Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Also, 52 per cent of fans said they would not consider buying a ticket to a fourth Spider-Man movie if it were directed by someone other than Sam Raimi. On the other hand, 68 per cent fans said they would be interested in seeing a much-rumoured movie version of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit directed by Sam Raimi.